Performing a competition between teams by means of modular units

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a method of performing a competition between teams by means of at least two sets of modular units ( 20 A,  20 B;  21 A,  21 B;  22 A,  22 B). The invention further relates to a modular unit for performing a competition between teams. Said method comprises the steps of connecting a first set of modular units ( 20 A,  21 A,  22 A) to a second set of modular units ( 20 B,  21 B,  22 B), wherein each set comprises at least one modular unit ( 10 ); determining which first modular unit in the first set is connected to which second modular unit or units in the first set; determining which third modular unit in the second set is connected to which fourth modular unit or units in the second set; determining a set of information items for at least one modular unit, wherein each information item individually relates to a specific modular unit in said sets ( 20 A,  20 B;  21 A,  21 B;  22 A,  22 B); and wherein said set of information items represents competition-related information, and wherein said set of information items depends on the way in which said modular units are located relative to one another, a property for each modular unit and of which first competition performed; distributing the set of information items to the corresponding modular units; and presenting said set of information items on the modular units. A modular unit, when used in conjunction with more modular units, can thus provide a freely selectable field of any form or shape for performing a competition, such as sports or games.

This invention relates to a method of performing a competition betweenteams by means of at least two sets of modular units.

The present invention also relates to a computer system for performingthe method.

The present invention further relates to a computer program product forperforming the method.

This invention further relates to a modular unit for performing acompetition between teams by means of at least two sets of modularunits.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,068 discloses a game-fighting machine. It can beinterconnected to a counterpart game-fighting machine by means of a plugmechanism. These game-fighting machines may be used as two gameopponents in a game fight. The game fight may then be controlled by twoplayers who are using said game as entertainment.

It is a problem that modular units—e.g. as used in the above-mentionedprior art—are not flexible in size and can only be positioned inpredetermined fixed positions relative to each other.

Correspondingly, it is a problem that a playfield (i.e. an area in whicha game or sports may take place) comprised by connected modular units islimited to a fixed form and thus limited to a predetermined team set-up.

It is a further problem that a modular unit, e.g. a portable gameconsole, cannot have its displayable area expanded while in operation.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a modular unitthat, when used in conjunction with more modular units, can provide afreely selectable resulting shape.

It is therefore a further object of the invention to provide a modularunit that, when used in conjunction with other modular units, mayprovide a playfield of any form or shape with a corresponding teamset-up.

Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a modular unit withan expandable display area that is expandable during a play, a game or asports competition.

The objects are achieved by a method of the type mentioned, the methodcomprising the steps of:

-   -   connecting a first set of modular units to a second set of        modular units, wherein each set comprises at least one modular        unit;    -   determining which first modular unit in the first set is        connected to which second modular unit or units in the first        set;    -   determining which third modular unit in the second set is        connected to which fourth modular unit or units in the second        set;    -   determining a set of information items for at least one modular        unit, wherein each information item individually relates to a        specific modular unit in said sets; and wherein said set of        information items represents competition-related information,        and wherein said set of information items depends on the way in        which said modular units are located relative to one another,        and/or a property for each modular unit and/or which first        competition is performed;    -   distributing the set of information items to the corresponding        modular units; and    -   presenting said set of information items on the modular units.

In the first step, two players may connect each of their teams(comprised of modular units) to each other to define a playfield withcorresponding sports figures or game pieces. The object of providing aplayfield of any form or shape with a corresponding team set-up by meansa modular units is thereby achieved, since the modular units—when usedin conjunction with other modular units—can be freely connected to oneanother and since each of these may be configured in various shapes,such as rectangular, circular, triangular, elliptic, etc.

In the second and third steps, locations of modular units incorresponding sets, i.e. teams, are determined, thus how the physicallayout of each of the two sets of modular units is determined, i.e. thelayout in each of two teams. This layout may define the physical playingfield for a game, sports, etc.

In the fourth step, a set of information items for a later presentationof each of the modular units in said sets is determined. The set ofinformation items may represent presentable competition-relatedinformation, and depends on the way in which said modular units arelocated relative to one another in said sets or teams. Furthermore, saidset of information items may depend on a property relating to eachmodular unit and on which first competition is performed.

The property may relate to a soccer player and relating to a specificmodular unit. Said property may comprise how many goals said soccerplayer has scored, number of yellow and red cards received, penalties,relative strength, preferred role or position, age, appearance, name,sex, etc.

The information item may comprise plain text, pictures, frames, video,word-processor data, spread-sheet data, game figures, game or sportselements, text or picture messages, speech, commands and combinationsthereof relevant to the competition performed.

Said first competition performed may be any game, game of sports, orplay, such as American football, double, mixed or single tennis, double,mixed or single badminton, volleyball, basketball, curling, handball,ice-hockey, hockey, cycling such as opposing teams in the Tour deFrance, go-cart, Formula 1 Race, etc.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a game—as an example of saidfirst competition in the world of sports—may be performed between twoteams.

The invention may be further applied to board games (defined andperformed by means of interconnected modular units)—as another exampleof said first competition. These may comprise Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit,Chess, Ludo, Parcheesi, Nine Men's Morris, Draughts, Checkers, Settlers,strategy games, Roulet, Bridge, Whist, Black Jack, or Poker, etc.

In the fifth step, each modular unit may currently have its specificinformation item provided for a subsequent presentation in the nextstep.

Finally, the information is presented, i.e. displayed and/or playedback, if possible on the modular units. Since they may comprise aphysical playing field for a game, the combined presentation from saidmodular units will appear on one large display.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method further comprisesthe step of:

-   -   receiving a first information item representing a property of a        modular unit.

During a competition, e.g. soccer, a user may enter a new property to amodular unit instead of the old one. He may desire to set a soccerplayer's number of yellow cards to zero to avoid that thisplayer—relating to his modular unit—is later forced to leave the soccermatch.

Said first information item—for a soccer player—may be the number ofgoals scored, the number of red or yellow cards, penalties, relativestrength, preferred role or position, age, appearance, name, sex,club-relation(s), etc.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method further comprisesthe step of:

-   -   receiving a second information item representing a second        competition.

In this case the user may hereby make the modular units switch to a newcompetition, i.e. a new game of sports, play, etc.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method further comprisesthe steps of:

-   -   disconnecting a third set of modular units from the first and        second set of modular units, wherein said third set comprises at        least one modular unit,        -   whereby the object of providing a playfield of any form or            shape is achieved, because the modular units—when used in            conjunction with other modular units—may also be freely            disconnected from one another, thus creating a smaller            modified resulting shape;    -   connecting a fourth set of modular units to said first and        second set of modular units, wherein said fourth set comprises        at least one modular unit,

whereby the object of the invention to provide a modular unit with anexpandable display area during play is achieved because one or moremodular units may be added during a play, a game or a sportscompetition.

Said objects are further achieved by a modular unit for performing acompetition between teams by means of at least two sets of modularunits, said modular unit comprising:

-   -   means for connecting the modular unit connected in a first set        of modular units to a second set of modular units, wherein said        sets comprise at least one modular unit;    -   means for determining which modular unit is connected to which        second modular unit or units in the first and the second sets;    -   means for determining a set of information items, wherein each        information item individually relates to a specific modular unit        in said sets; and wherein said set of information items        represents competition-related information, and wherein said set        of information items depends on the way in which said modular        units are located relative to one another in said sets and/or, a        property for each modular unit and/or which first competition is        performed;    -   means for distributing the set of information items to the        corresponding modular units in said sets; and    -   means for presenting one of said information items.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the modular unit furthercomprises:

-   -   means for receiving a second information item representing a        second competition.

The modular unit gives the same advantages for the same reasons asdescribed previously in relation to the method.

The invention will be explained more fully below in connection withpreferred embodiments and with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a modular unit;

FIG. 2 shows a physical implementation of the modular unit;

FIG. 3 shows various connection configurations of modular units;

FIG. 4 shows two sets of modular units used as two teams in a game ofsports or play; and

FIG. 5 show a method of performing a competition between teams by meansof at least two sets of modular units.

Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate similar orcorresponding features, functions, etc.

FIG. 1 shows a modular unit. The modular unit as denoted by referencenumeral 10 has a front as denoted by reference numeral 11. Close to saidfront, a user—as indicated by reference numeral 18—may obtaininformation from the modular unit's display 13, and/or from aloudspeaker 15, each positioned on the front.

Said information may be displayed on the display and said information,when it comprises sounds or music, may optionally or additionally beemitted by means of the loudspeaker 15 or on a like device. The modularunit may be used and operated in conjunction with connections to othermodular units grouped together, e.g. in teams with the intention toprovide the user with an enlarged viewing area of a common playfield,i.e. an area in which a game or a sports competition may take place. Inother words, the modular unit may preferably be connected to other unitsof the same kind.

Neighbouring modular units may be detected through an electroniccircuit. Every modular unit may send an electronic signal to its portsand if another modular unit is connected to a port, a closed circuitresults. The processor in the modular unit may use the returningelectronic signal from the port to detect the closed circuit. Theprocessor may then know that another modular unit is connected to thatspecific port. Each port may comprise 2 points: a sending point and areceiving point. The modular unit may be based on a handshake protocol,which means that as soon as two modular units are connected to eachother, the connection enables the electronic signal to run through aclosed circuit. The connected modular unit operates in a similar way asclustered computing, which means that each modular unit is equal in itsrole of processing data, i.e. no server component needs to be present,and the modular units together operate as one system, e.g. as a moduleof modular units. As will be discussed hereinafter, said system maycomprise and operate as one enlarged display.

When the location of the modular unit is known, information—reflectingsaid location—may subsequently be determined and transferred to themodular unit for a subsequent presentation.

Said game information may be plain text, pictures, frames, video,word-processor data, game figures, game or sport elements, text orpicture messages, and combinations thereof.

The user may respond to said game information given by means of an inputdevice—still referring to the modular unit—denoted by reference numeral14. As an example, before or during a particular sports game or othercompetition said user may wish to change from one game currently beingplayed to another game to be played subsequently. Accordingly, a modularunit or units may then present different information reflecting the newgame or competition. The user may respond to said information by meansof an input device as denoted by reference numeral 14. The input devicemay be a keyboard, some other pushbutton and/or fields sensitive totouch on said display. The input device may further be a button and/oran arrangement of buttons, a pointing device, such as a mouse, atrackball, a touch pad, a digital pen, or the like.

By means of the processor said information may be displayed and/orplayed back or redirected to other modular units. The modular unit maybe connected physically by means of a connector 19, or logically bymeans of an identifier to other or different modular units. It maytherefore be appropriate that information dedicated to one modular unitmay be transferred through another modular unit by means of acommunication device 16, connected to a processor 17. The communicationdevice may receive or send information by means of a network, e.g. alocal area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or any combinationthereof e.g. the Internet, an intranet, an extranet. The network maycomprise wired and wireless communication links. Said network may be ageneral solution known from the prior art, or it may be dedicated to anoptimized communication between said modular units. The communicationdevice may communicate by means of said connector.

The user may be able to update the contents of a modular unit byconnecting it to a personal computer or to a base station in a toystore.The team player information on a modular unit could, for instance,contain information on the amount of goals scored by a soccer player.

In order to be compatible with personal computers, an update ‘docking’station may be used to enable users to connect their modular units tothe personal computer. A small USB module could be a part of saidcommunication device to allow said connection with the personal computeror the base station.

Said processor is arranged to receive inputs from the display if it hastouch-sensitive fields on its front, the input device and thecommunication device. The processor is further arranged to generatedisplay data to the display, sound or music data to the speaker,location of a module or a neighbouring module or modules and other datato the communication device.

FIG. 2 shows a physical implementation of the modular unit. In apreferred embodiment, the display area, i.e. the modular unit's displayis large compared to the physical layout of the modular unit. Morelayouts will be shown in the next Figure. Since it may be possible toconnect the modular unit to other modular units, the physical layout ofsaid connector may be of interest to the player.

FIG. 3 shows various connection configurations of modular units. Also inthis case, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the display area,i.e. the modular unit's display may be large compared to the shownphysical layouts of the modular units. Reference numerals 20, 21 and 22show in which way modular units 10 may be connected to one another.Reference numeral 20 shows modular units in hexagonal layouts connectedto one another, reference numeral 21 shows modular units in rectangularlayouts connected to one another, and correspondingly, reference numeral22 shows modular units in triangular layouts. These various groupings ofmodular units allow an easy design of any larger display shape comprisedby the display area of each of the connected modular units. The entireplayfield of a game may thereby be shown by means of many connectedmodular units. The grouping may take place with a minimized loss ofinterconnection space due to the three shown layouts. Two, or more thanthree modular units may be connected to one another, or to modular unitsof other kinds. It may further be possible to have the modular unitconfigured in other shapes, such as circular, elliptic, etc.

As shown in the Figure, it may provide a maximized display area toconnect one triangular layout to another triangular layout, onerectangular layout to another rectangular layout, etc. However, anyunlike layouts of modular units can be combined.

Generally, a number of interconnected modular units, in total, maycomprise a physical area of a game or a team, i.e. the previouslymentioned playfield. As an example, the four modular units in referencenumerals 20, 21 and 22, respectively, could be three different teams.

FIG. 4 shows two sets of modular units used as two teams in a game ofsports or play. Reference numerals 20A and 20B, 21A and 21B, and 22A and22B, respectively show how two sets of modules of modular units 10 mayconnect to one another. When connected, the combined modules will bereference numerals 20A and 20B as a first field of a (sports) game,reference numerals 21A and 21B as a second field, and reference numerals22A and 22B as a third field of a game, respectively.

Reference numerals 20A+20B show the new field or playfield of the gamecomprised of hexagonal layouts, reference numerals 21A+20B show anotherplayfield of the game comprised of rectangular layouts, etc. These newmodules of modular units allow a combined, enlarged display shape, whichcan be used to show the game like the playfield of a real game. It mayfurther be possible to connect unlike-shaped modules and unlike shapedmodular units to one another.

In other words, by using of a number of interconnected modular units, anenlarged display or screen is created. Consequently, this may be used asa presented playfield for two competing teams.

The possibility of arranging modular units in a special configuration,i.e. as teams, enables the game or competition user to makesoftware-based adjustments to manipulate the settings, shape andperformance of a team in, for example, a sports game. The modular unitmay have small LCD screens as displays allowing two users to plug-intheir ‘team module’ and then perform a competition between said modulesby means of these, i.e. to watch a match between their respective teams.Each team or ‘team module’ may comprise multiple modular units capableof displaying, playing back, storing and retrieving data. Each of saidunits may be updated through an online connection by means of saidcommunication device of FIG. 1. As a result, a modular unit may thencontain the latest information on its team player.

The modular units may be small handheld modules that allow the user toplay and watch a match between different modules. Each of themodules—each comprising a number of modular units—can be updated via anonline connection. The user of one module, i.e. one set of modularunits, can thereby play or manage a sports match of his team againstanother person having another module with another team, i.e. another setof modular units. Said modules may also enable the users to define teamplayer positions within the match. The match may be ‘semi-interactive’,which means that users can adjust team characteristics and game settingsbefore and during the match.

As an example, in a sports game between two soccer teams, each team maycomprise eleven players, i.e. eleven modular units, each representing anindividual team player. As a consequence, the sum of two times elevenconnected modular units can be used to present the soccer game.

Correspondingly, other games or sports between two teams may be playedor performed by means of and on two sets of modular units. These may bea sports game, such as American football, double, mixed or singletennis, double, mixed or single badminton, volleyball, basketball,curling, handball, ice-hockey, hockey, cycling such as opposing teams inthe Tour de France, go-cart, Formula 1 Race, etc.

The game rules of combat or rules in sports may be supervised by one ormore modular units dedicated to that purpose.

A game in the world of sports between two teams is a typical field ofthe invention. However, by adding a third team or group to two teams orgroups, a sports game between three teams may also be an option.Correspondingly, a sports game between more than three teams may alsoapply.

It may further be possible to apply the invention to board games, suchas Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Chess, Ludo, Parcheesi, Nine Men's Morris,Draughts, Checkers, Settlers, strategy games, Roulet, etc. Other gameswith a corresponding game board may be card games, such as Bridge,Whist, Black Jack, Poker, etc.

In such games or sports, the displays of the combined modular units—usedas game elements or items—may comprise the corresponding game boards orplaying field in said games or sports.

Throughout the application—when the wording “presentation”, “present” orthe like is used—it is intended to designate that competition contentmay be displayed on a corresponding display of the modular unit. And,furthermore—in case that competition content is suitable for emissionthrough a loudspeaker, i.e. when said competition content comprisessounds and/or music—competition content is also played back. This ispossible because said modular unit may comprise a loudspeaker or a likedevice.

The wording “competition content” is understood to be informationdisplayed and or played back relating to a sports game, a play or gameas discussed above. Said information or competition content may be plaintext, pictures, frames, video, word-processor data, spread-sheet data,game figures, game or sports elements, text or picture messages, speech,commands and combinations thereof.

The shape of combined modular units (e.g. two or more teams) may be aplaying field for different games or sports. Examples of these could beAmerican football, double, mixed or single tennis, double, mixed orsingle badminton, volleyball, basketball, curling, handball, ice-hockey,hockey, cycling such as opposing teams in the Tour de France, go-cart,Formula 1 Race, etc.

More modular units—as discussed, the playing field—will typically defineand comprise an area in which the game or sports takes place.

FIG. 5 shows a method of performing a competition between teams by meansof at least two sets of modular units.

In step 90, the method in accordance with a preferred embodiment of theinvention is started. Variables, flags, buffers, etc., keeping track oflocations, competition content, information item or items, identifyingsignal or signals, etc, corresponding to the status (of sets) of modularunits connected relative to one another, and corresponding to the statusof a given selected competition (game, sports, play) are set to defaultvalues. When the method is started a second time, only corruptedvariables, flags, buffers, etc, are reset to default values.

In step 100, a first set of modular units may be connected to a secondset of modular units. Each of said sets may comprise at least onemodular unit.

As previously discussed, the shape of combined modular units, i.e. saidfirst and second sets of modular units, may typically be understood astwo teams using a common playing field for different games or sports.Examples of these could be American football, double, mixed or singletennis, double, mixed or single badminton, volleyball, basketball,curling, handball, ice-hockey, hockey, cycling such as opposing teams inthe Tour de France, go-cart, Formula 1 Race, etc.

More modular units—as discussed, the play or playing field—willtypically define and comprise an area in which the game or sports takesplace. In other words, in this step, modular units may then provide afreely selectable resulting shape of the playing field.

In step 200, a modular unit may determine which first modular unit inthe first set is connected to which second modular unit or units in thefirst set. One modular unit may have information about how the modulesin the first set are connected to one another, and thus their locationsrelative to one another. In a sports game, the first set may comprisehalf of the play ground in a soccer match with corresponding soccerplayers of a team, e.g. Liverpool. Said relative locations relative toone another may here designate which roles and positions, i.e. the teamset-up of Liverpool, the players have in this team. These may begoalkeeper, wings, back, mid-field players, etc.

In step 300, a modular unit, but here in the second set, may determinewhich third modular unit in the second set is connected to which fourthmodular unit or units in the second set. Corresponding to the foregoingstep with correspondingly determined relative locations in the samesports game, the second set may comprise the other half of the playground in the soccer match with corresponding soccer players' roles andpositions in another team set-up for e.g. Barcelona.

These two steps may be repeated until all connections, i.e. locationsare determined, thus determining the physical layout of each of the twosets after they have been connected to one another (in step 100), i.e.combined into the playfield shape of a common playfield. Alternatively,these two steps may also be performed before or during said connectionof teams in step 100.

The common playfield could be perceived as a simulated physicalplayfield in Liverpool, Barcelona, or on any other location notnecessarily belonging to any of said soccer teams.

For said two steps, determination of which modular unit in a set that isconnected to another modular unit or units or other modular units inanother set corresponds to previously-mentioned detection ofneighbouring modular units as discussed in FIG. 1.

In step 400, at least one modular unit may determine a set ofinformation items. Each information item in this set may individuallyrelate to a specific modular unit, and said information item mayrepresent competition-related information, and depends on the way inwhich said modular units are located to one another in the combined setsor teams. Furthermore, said set of information items may depend on aproperty relating to each modular unit (in the combined sets or teams)and on which first competition is performed.

Each modular unit may comprise a property relating to, e.g. a soccerplayer, for example how many goals has the soccer player scored, numberof yellow and red cards received, penalties, relative strength,preferred role or position, age, appearance, name, sex, etc.

Each information item may be plain text, pictures, frames, video,word-processor data, spread-sheet data, game figures, game or sportselements, text or picture messages, speech, commands and combinationsthereof relevant to the competition performed.

Said first competition performed may be any game, game of sports, orplay.

In step 500, said set of information items may be distributed to thecorresponding modular units. Each modular unit may currently have itsinformation item provided for a subsequent presentation in the nextstep. The distribution may take place by means of the previouslymentioned connector. In order to distribute information properly andefficiently, it may be appropriate that information dedicated to onemodular unit may be transferred through another modular unit by means ofthe previously mentioned communication device.

In step 600, said set of information items may be presented on themodular units. As previously discussed, the term present is understoodto be “display” and/or “play back” content, i.e. said information item,on the modular unit.

When said modular units in the combined sets or teams present theirinformation, it appears on, and as one large display displaying thecompetition performed between teams.

In step 700, a first information item representing a property of amodular unit may be received. The user may enter another property to amodular unit instead of the one currently used. He may desire to modifythe number of yellow cards of a soccer player so as to avoid that—due tothe number of yellow cards already received—this player is forced toleave the match later.

The received property—for a soccer player—may further be the number ofgoals scored, number of red cards, penalties, relative strength,preferred role or position, age, appearance, name, sex,club-relation(s), etc.

In a game of chess, the player may be a game piece with a changeableproperty, e.g. the property may be changed from a pawn to a king, aqueen or a castle, etc; or the colour of the game piece may be changedfrom white to black, or vice versa, etc. Furthermore, a new property maymove the game piece to another location in the game of chess.

Accordingly, the property may determine—in step 400—another set ofinformation items subsequently to be presented on the modular units inthe steps that follow step 400.

In step 800, a second information item may be received, which mayrepresent a second competition. One of the users may enter anothercompetition type or kind to any modular unit.

The received second information item may be any new game, game ofsports, or play.

Accordingly, said second information item may determine—in step 400—amodified set of information items (reflecting the new game, etc)subsequently to be presented on the modular units in the steps thatfollow step 400.

In step 900, a third set of modular units may be disconnected from thefirst and second sets of modular units. Said third set—as is general forthe sets mentioned—may comprise at least one modular unit.

In step 1000, a fourth set of modular units may be connected to thefirst and second sets of modular units. Said fourth set may alsocomprise at least one modular unit.

As discussed in step 100, and by means of said disconnection andconnection in the two above mentioned steps, the shape of newly combinedmodular units, i.e. first, second, third, fourth sets of modular units,may redefine the area in which the game or sports takes place. In otherwords, in these two steps, modular units may again provide a newresulting shape of the playing field.

Usually, the method will start all over again as long as at least onemodular unit is powered. Otherwise, the method may terminate in step1100; however, when the modular unit is powered again, etc, the methodmay proceed from step 100. By using of the above-mentioned steps, thefollowing example will show a possible use of the invention.

12 year-old Danny and Jack watched a soccer match last night. Togetherwith Ben, they are discussing the match results.

They decide to replay the match, using their modular units as the twoteams, i.e. step 100. Jack has just obtained a modular unit of theBrazilian soccer player Romario from a toy store, so now he may be ableto create his team of 11 soccer players with Romario in thecentre-forward role.

The modular unit may contain information, e.g. a property, about thesoccer player, e.g. number of goals scored, number of yellow and redcards, penalties, relative strength, preferred role or position, age,appearance, etc, i.e. step 700, and may, correspondingly, show ordisplay a visual or animated representation of that player, i.e. step600.

Using their modular units, both Danny and Jack may then each create ateam (module) of 11 soccer players. The team module for each team may beconstructed by connecting said 11 modular units to one another. Themodular units may have a topside and a bottom side. As an example, whenthe bottom side of one modular unit is connected to the topside ofanother modular unit, these modular units may be recognized as part ofthe same team module. Correspondingly, when the topside of a modularunit is connected to the topside of other modular units, these othermodular units may then be recognized as part of the opposite team.

Correspondingly, steps 100, 200 and 300 will typically be performedduring team creation and connection of modular units to one another.

Jack may then decide to make some changes in his team set-up and maymove some soccer players, i.e. modular units, to other positions, e.g.the Brazilian soccer-player Romario may be moved from a position or roleas a “centre forward” to a “left wing”, etc. This corresponds to steps900 and 1000. His relative location among the 11 modular units of histeam may indicate his position or role in the team's set-up when thesoccer match is started. Correspondingly, the images displayed on themodular unit may then show a slight movement to indicate a change in theteam's set-up. The latter corresponds to step 600.

As soon as the two teams, i.e. two modules of modular units, have beenconnected to each other, the soccer match may then automatically start.As soon as the match has started, the team modules (groups of modularunits) may then operate as one large display. This corresponds to step600. The visual representations of the now 22 soccer players may movefreely within the large display's screen space. During the soccer match,the users, i.e. the two team creators, may still be able to change thelayout of the modular units in each of said two team modules andtherefore affect the course of events taking place during said soccermatch.

The modular unit may be a portable game console, a game device, anelectronic playing card, a display or presentation device connectable tolike devices in sets. A computer-readable medium may be a magnetic tape,an optical disc, a digital video disk (DVD), a compact disc (CDrecord-able or CD write-able), a mini-disc, a hard disk, a floppy disk,a smart card, a PCMCIA card, etc.

1. A method of performing a competition between teams by means of atleast two sets of modular units, the method comprising acts of:connecting a first set of modular units to a second set of modularunits, wherein each set of modular units comprises at least one modularunit; determining a set of information items for at least one modularunit, wherein each information item individually relates to a specificmodular unit in the first and second sets, wherein the set ofinformation items represents competition-related information, whereinthe determined set of information items comprises connection-relatedinformation indicating relative physical locations of each of saidconnected modular units relative to each other of said connected modularunits; creating a common game space including the determined set ofinformation items based on the indication of the relative physicallocations of each of said connected modular units relative to each otherof said connected modular units such that the relative physicallocations between the connected modular units defines a game spaceincluding a size and shape of a play field and thereby which competitionis first performed; and presenting the set of information items on theconnected modular units during the competition.
 2. The method as claimedin claim 1, further comprising acts of: receiving a first informationitem representing a property of a connected modular unit; and setting acompetition-related information item of connected modular units duringthe competition based on the received first information item.
 3. Amethod according to claim 1, the method further comprising acts of:receiving a second information item representing a second competition;and setting a competition-related information item of connected modularunits during the second competition based on the received secondinformation item.
 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingacts of: connecting a third modular unit to at least one of the firstand second set of modular units, receiving a third information item fromthe third modular unit; and setting a competition-related informationitem of all connected modular units during the competition based on thereceived third information item.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 1,wherein the competition related information includes a physical layoutof the common game space during the competition.
 6. The method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the competition related information includesa physical layout of players relative to one another within the commongame space during the competition.
 7. A computer system for performing acompetition between teams by means of at least two sets of modularunits, the computer system comprising: means for connecting a first setof modular units to a second set of modular units, wherein each set ofmodular units comprises at least one modular unit; means for determininga set of information items, wherein each information item individuallyrelates to a specific modular unit in the first and second sets; whereinthe set of information items represents competition-related informationof connected modular units during the competition, wherein the set ofinformation items comprises connection-related information indicatingrelative physical locations of each of said connected modular unitsrelative to each other of said connected modular units; creating acommon game space including the determined set of information itemsbased on the indication of the relative physical locations of each ofsaid connected modular units relative to each other of said connectedmodular units such that the relative physical locations between theconnected modular units defines a game space including a size and shapeof a play field and thereby which competition is first performed; andmeans for presenting one of the information items during thecompetition.
 8. The computer system as claimed in claim 7, wherein thecompetition related information includes a physical layout of the commongame space during the competition.
 9. The computer system as claimed inclaim 7, wherein the competition related information includes a physicallayout of players within the common game space during the competition.10. A computer-executable code stored on a computer-readablenon-transitory medium for performing a competition between teams bymeans of at least two sets of modular units, the code when executed by acomputer, executes acts of: connecting a first set of modular units to asecond set of modular units, wherein each set of modular units comprisesat least one modular unit; determining for a set of information items atleast one modular unit, wherein each information item individuallyrelates to a specific modular unit in the first and second sets, whereinthe set of information items represents competition-related informationof connected modular units during the competition, wherein the set ofinformation items comprises connection-related information indicatingrelative physical locations of each of said connected modular unitsrelative to each other of said connected modular units; creating acommon playfield including the determined set of information items basedon the indication of the relative physical locations of each of saidconnected modular units relative to each other of said connected modularunits such that the relative physical locations between the connectedmodular units defines a game space including a size and shape of a playfield and thereby which competition is first performed; and presentingthe set of information items on the connected modular units during thecompetition.
 11. The computer-executable code as claimed in claim 10,wherein the competition related information includes a physical layoutof the common game space during the competition.
 12. Thecomputer-executable code as claimed in claim 10, wherein the indicationof which ones of the plurality of ports of the first set of modularunits are connected to which ones of the plurality of ports of thesecond set of modular units determines a physical layout of playerswithin the common game space during the competition.
 13. A modular unitfor performing a competition between teams by means of at least two setsof modular units, the modular unit comprising: means for connecting afirst set of modular units to a second set of modular units, whereineach set of modular units comprises at least one modular unit; means fordetermining a set of information items, wherein each information itemindividually relates to a specific modular unit in the first and secondsets, wherein the set of information items representscompetition-related information of connected modular units during thecompetition, wherein the determined set of information items comprisesconnection-related information indicating relative physical locations ofeach of said connected modular units relative to each other of saidconnected modular units; creating a common game space including thedetermined set of information items based on the indication of therelative physical locations of each of said connected modular unitsrelative to each other of said connected modular units such that therelative physical locations between the connected modular units definesa game space including a size and shape of a play field and therebywhich competition is first performed; means for distributing the set ofinformation items to the corresponding connected modular units in thefirst and second sets; and means for presenting one of the informationitems during the competition.
 14. The modular unit as claimed in claim13, further comprising: means for receiving a first information itemrepresenting a property of a connected modular unit; and means forsetting a competition-related information item of the connected modularunits during the competition based on the received first informationitem.
 15. The modular unit according to claim 13, further comprising:means for receiving a second information item representing a secondcompetition; and means setting a competition-related information itembased on the received second information item.
 16. The modular unit asclaimed in claim 13, wherein the competition related informationincludes a physical layout of the common game space during thecompetition.
 17. The modular unit as claimed in claim 13, wherein thecompetition related information includes a physical layout of playerswithin the common game space during the competition.
 18. The modularunit as claimed in claim 13, wherein competition related informationincludes an allocation of competition related information during thecompetition.
 19. The modular unit as claimed in claim 13, wherein acumulative physical layout of the connected modular units determines alayout of virtual players during the competition.
 20. A modular unit forperforming a competition between teams by means of at least two sets ofmodular units, the modular unit comprising: means for connecting a firstset of modular units to a second set of modular units, wherein each setof modular units comprises at least one modular unit; means fordetermining which modular unit is connected to which second modular unitor units in the first and the second set; means for determining a set ofinformation items, wherein each information item individually relates toa specific modular unit in the first and second sets, wherein the set ofinformation items represents competition-related information ofconnected modular units during the competition, wherein the set ofinformation items comprises connection-related information indicatingphysical locations of the connected modular units relative to oneanother as interconnected in the first and second sets in a common gamespace, and wherein the competition-related information during thecompetition depends on the physical locations of the connected modularunits relative to each another and defines the game space including asize and shape of a play field and thereby which competition is firstperformed; means for distributing the set of information items to thecorresponding connected modular units in the sets; and means forpresenting one of the information items during the competition.